Houghton FD to hold open house

October 12, 2012

HOUGHTON - The Houghton Volunteer Fire Department is opening its doors to let the public get a better look at what it does.

The department is holding an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Houghton Fire Hall (on the corner of Sharon Avenue and Portage Street).

Ron Olson, a firefighter with the department, said the open house was being held to commemorate the department's 150th year, and to coincide with with the national EMS Week.

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Michael Bleach/Daily Mining GazetteThe Houghton Volunteer Fire Department will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Houghton Fire Hall on the corner of Sharon Avenue and Portage Street.

"It gets them to see what we do, and they can look at the trucks and get a feel for the situation, and just make people more aware of what they should do in case of a fire," he said.

One attraction will be the "smoke room," which will simulate what fire fighters experience in an emergency situations.

"we have a smoke-producing machine, and what it does is it puts a harm-free smoke in the air, and we can bring the kids in and show them how the thermal imaging camera works," Olson said. "Then they can see what it looks like in a smoky environment, and see what we can see through the thermal imaging camera."

The department will also provide free safety information and "tot finders," sticky signs to put in childen's bedroom windows so fire fighters can rescue them quickly in a fire.

"They're more susceptible to smoke inhalation," Olson said.

There will be kids' games and giveaways, as well as hot dogs and beverages.

As far as Olson can recall, it's the first such open house the department has had.

"It's a good time to get to see the firemen and see what's going on, and the kids can have some fun," he said.